Electric switch



Jan. 10, 1933. R. R. TEICHNER ET AL. v ,8

ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed May 18, 1928 Ill? i I HI W INV TORS. E I2P7 Patented Jan. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RUDOLPH R.TEICHNER AND STIRLING ROSS YANCEY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR-S TOSURE GUARD CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORKELECTRIC SWITCH Application filed May 18, 1928, Serial No. 278,688.

Our invention relates to improvements in electric switches, and theobject of the invention is to produce an extremely simple and positiveswitch of the slide plug spring leaf contact type, in which there are aplurality of terminal connections, and in which the switch is normallyclosed to two of the connections, but can be easily adjusted so as tocut in a ground or other connect on or connections, and as easilyadjusted to open the several circuits. The invention is especiallyintended to produce a simple structure in which the parts are all safelyhoused so as to be protected from any accumulation which may interferewith the action of the switch, and in which the spring contacts arereinforced by additional springs which make the action positive. Theinvention is also intended to make the contact plug of a form taperingfrom its middle towards its end portions, and with the spring contactsor leaf contacts engaging the plug in such a way that when it is movedin one direction the several contacts will be made, where it is normaltwo of the contacts will be closed, and when moved in another direct onall the connections will be open. It is also intended to produce aswitch which is well adapted for use on the fixture board of a motorcar, and the switch is suitable for controlling various car circuits,although it can also be used for other purposes.

Reference is to he had to the accompanying drawing forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar reference characters indicatecorresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a face view of the switch.

Figure 2 is a cross section on the line 22 of Figure 4:.

Figure 3 is alongitudinal section of the switch.

Figure 1 is a broken elevation partly in longitudinal section and withthe section at right angles to that shown in Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a rear elevation of the switch.

The switch has an insulating base 10 which can most conveniently becircular, and closes one end of the casing 21 which will be hereinafterreferred to. Supported on the base Renewed June 2, 1932.

are terminals 11 and 12. e have shown the ordinary tubular binding posttype of terminal, but other forms might be substituted. The twoterminals 11 are provided with leaf contact members 13 which extendinward into the casing 21 and are bent at the ends as at 14 so thattheir angles 15 adjacent the ends will contact with the smaller part ofthe switch plug 16 which is made to slide between the contact leaves ormembers. One end portion of the switch plug 16 is of insulating material17, and the plug as a whole is shaped somewhat like an hour glass,tapering or flaring outward from the middle portion toward the ends.

In order that the contacts may be made positive and to enable lightmembers 13 to be used, springs 18 are arranged behind them which areshown as fastened to the inner parts of the binding posts or terminals11 and extend upward and contact with the upper portions of the members13. In a position preferably at about midway between the members 13 andspaced apart from the plug 16, is a leaf member 19 which is like the member 13 and is connected with the terminal or binding post 12. This isalso pressed inward by the reinforcing spring 20, but normally it is outof contact with the plug 16 as shown such connection, although one. isshown. If,

on the other hand, the plug is pulled outwardly, the several contactleaves will engage the insulating end 17 and the circuits will be open.

The case or casing 21 tightly seals the working parts of the switch soas to prevent any extraneous interference with them, and this case isprovided with a threaded nipple 22 which engages and screws through thethreaded part 23 of a housing 23, and can be further locked in positionby the nut 24 which screws on the nipple 22.

The switch plug 16 is carried by a spindle 25 which extends outwardthrough an insulating bushing 26 and is provided with a knob 27 orequivalent means of operating it. T he bushing 26 extends from the innerend of the knob 27 to the plug 16, but it should in any event extend farenough to properly insulate the spindle 25 from the adjacent conductingparts. further protection for the working parts of the switch, and itcan be provided with a flange 28 having screw holes therethrough so thatit may be conveniently applied to the fixture board of the car or 00 anyother support.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the structure isvery simple and positive, and that it is not likely to get out of order,or the parts likely to become displaced. Further, as stated, a circuitwill be closed through at least two of the contact leaves 13, and bypushing the switch plug inward another circuit or circuit connection canbe made, while by pulling the plug out ward all connections can bebroken.

Vie claim p 1. A switch comprising leaf contacts and a plug slidablebetween the contacts, said plug being smallest in its middle conductingportion and flaring toward the encs, with one end portion having theflaring partof insulating material.

2. An electric switch comprising a sliding plug moving between leafcontacts, said plug being smaller in its middle portion which is ofconducting material and flaring toward its ends one flaring part ofwhich is of insulating material, a pair of leaf contacts normallycontacting with the middle portion of the plug, and another contactnormally out of touch with the plug but lying within the path of itslarger portions.

A. switch having a sliding switch plug smaller in its middle portionwhich is of conducting material and larger towards its end portions, oneflaring part of which is of insulating material, contact leaves normallyengaging the middle portion of the plug, and reinforcing springs backingthe contact leaves and pressing them towards the plug.

4. An electric switch comprising a sliding switch plug smaller in itsmiddle portion which is of conducting material and flaring toward theends, one flaring end portion being of insulating material, leafcontacts opposite the plug and with a pair normally engaging the smallerpart of the plug, a third leaf contact normally out of engagement 7 withthe smaller part of the plug but within the path of the larger portionsof the plug, and a casing for the aforesaid switch parts.

5. A switch having a sliding switch plug smaller in its middle portionwhich is of conlhe housing 23 serves as a ducting material and largertowards its end portions, one flaring part of which is of insulatingmaterial, contact leaves normally engaging the middle portion of theplug, reinforcing springs backing the contact leaves and pressing themtowards the plug, a casing sealing the aforesaid switch parts, a housingenclosing the casing and adapted for attachment to a support, and aspindle sliding through one end portion of the casing and housing toactuate the aforesaid plug.

6. A switch according to claim 5 in which the casing has a nipplesupported in the end of the housing and the spindle slides through thenipple and carries the plug.

7. A switch comprising a first contact member of generally hour-glassshape having its narrowest part and one flaring end formed of conductingmaterial and with the other daring end formed of insulating material, asecond contact member mounted to engage the surface of the first contactmember, the first and second contact members being movable relative toeach other.

8. A switch comprising a first contact member of generally hour-glassshape having its narrowest part and one flaring end formed of conductingmaterial and with the other flaring end formed of insulating material, aplurality of second contact members mounted to engage the surface of thefirst contact member, the first contact member being movable relative tothe second contact members.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specificationthis 6th day of April, 1928.

RUDOLPH R. TEICHNER. STIRLING ROSS YANGEY.

